Explosive joining device



NOV. 11, 1969 R, A. SCHMlDTKE ET AL 3,477,262

EXPLOSIVE JOINING DEVICE Filed July 22, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 11, 1969 Rv A SCHM|DTKE ET AL 3,477,262

EXPLOSIVE JOINING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 22, 1965 Nov. 11,1969 R, A, SCHWDTKE m1 3,477,262

i EXPLOSIVE JOINING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed July 22, 1965 Unted States Patent O 3,477,262 EXPLGSIVE JOINING DEVICE Richard A. Schmidtke, Jupiter, and Frederick C., Polhemus, Jr., Lake Park, Fla., assignors to United Aircraft Corporation, East Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 22, 1965, Ser. No. 473,960 Int. Cl. B21d 26/00; B23k 1/00 U.S. Cl. 72-56 18 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLQSURE This invention relates to a hand-held tool for explosively working materials with a high explosive. This working includes the joining, forming, impacting and penetration of the materials.

An object of this invention is to provide a lightweight tool for the fabricating and repair of explosively joinable materials on earth and in space.

Another object of this invention is to provide a high explosive material working tool or device which can be carried easily by one man and be hand-held in operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a hand-held high explosive working tool which can support a high explosive charge therein and properly space it with respect to a material or materials to be worked.

Another object of this invention is to provide a handheld high explosive material working tool which can provide a vacuum around the explosive charge before it is ignited or detonated.

A further object of this invention is to provide a handheld high explosive working tool which shields the operator from the effects of the explosion.

Another object of this invention is to provide a handheld high explosive working tool with an ignition or detonating system -which gives the maximum degree of safety and reliability, especially so that premature firing will not occur.

A further object of this invention is to provide a handheld high explosive working tool with an adaptable face seal to mate with work pieces of varying contours.

Other objects and advantages will be noted from a reading of the specification and claims and review of the accompanying drawings.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of a high explosive working tool or device.

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the tool shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a top view of the device shown in FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a schematic of a circuit for operating the device.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of a typical high explosive charge assembly which can be used with this invention.

FIGURE 6 is a side view showing a special contoured face seal.

FIGURE 7 is a partial sectional view showing the ice lower part of a tool in position for ring with work pieces.

The high explosive materials working device shown in FIGURE 2 comprises four main parts, (1) a protective housing or body 4, (2) handles 6 and 7 for supporting said body or housing, (3) a charge positioner 8, and (4) a control box 10.

The protective housing or body 4 is shaped as a cup member with the interior-of the cup forming a combustion or ignition chamber 12. The housing is formed of such material and size s0 as to structurally be strong enough to accept the explosion which is to occur therein. The high explosive charge assembly which is detonated or ignited therein, while not forming part of this invention, will be described hereinafter. The open end of the cup member has a flat annular surface 15 therearound adapted to receive a contoured face seal 16. This contoured face seal 16 mates with the workpiece when the device is put into position to be ignited. As shown, the surface 1S has a groove therearound which receives a mating portion of the contoured face seal 16. The inner protruding surface of the seal 16 is beveled outwardly as at 17. A custom contoured face seal is shown in FIGURE 6 to accommodate a corrugated sheet. i

The closed end of the cup-shaped member is formed having an opening therein to receive the charge positioner 8. The opening is formed from the outside of the cup to the inside by first a recessed portion 20, a threaded portion 22 of a smaller diameter, and a smooth portion 24 of still smaller diameter which enters into the interior of the combustion chamber 12. A resilient seal insert 21 is located in said recess for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Extending from one side of the housing or body 4 is a left-hand handle 6, and extending from a point diametrically opposed therefrom is a right-hand handle 7. The handles 6 and 7 are xed to the body in any manner desired. One tool which was constructed and red had the handles welded to the body. Rubber handle grips 30 and 32 are provided for each of the handles 6 and 7, respectively. These handles provide for a secure grip and also provide a shock absorber action for the operator. The handles have been made hollow to reduce the weight of the total tool.

To provide for evacuation of the combustion chamber 12 an opening 31 is provided in the housing in axial alignment with the right-hand handle 7. The outer end of the handle has an adapter 38 secured therein with a small tube 40 which extends through the rubber handle to the exterior thereof. A conduit 42 has one end affixed to the tube 40 while the other end connects to a vacuum forming machine.

The charge positioner 8 is an elongated member having a seal flange 43 adjacent its top which is sized to t within the recessed portion 20 in the housing and against the seal insert 21. A threaded section 46 is adapted to be threaded into the threaded opening 22 of the housing. A stern 48 extends from the threaded section at a reduced diameter to mate with the smooth opening 24 in the housing. The lower end of the stem is formed having reduced portion 50.

The charge attaching sleeve S2 is formed having one end with an inner diameter to snugly engage the reduced portion 50. A spring 54- is positioned within the sleeve with one end against the downwardly facing annular end of the reduced portion 50. A high explosive charge assembly 56 is positioned with its seal end 58 extending into the sleeve. The lower end of the spring `54 abuts this end of the charge assembly 56 to bias it downwardly. Ignition wires 60 and 62 extend from the end ot' the charge assembly 56 which Droects into the sleeve 52. The installation and positioning of these ignition wires will be discussed hereinafter.

A passageway for receiving said ignition wires 60 and 62 extends from the top of the charge positioner 8 to the bottom of the reduced portion 50. This passageway comprises a passage 64 which extends from the upper end of the charge positioner 8 to a point which will place it within the combustion chamber 12 when the charge positioner 8 is in its operating position. From this point to the end of the reduced portion 50 the passageway comprises a channel or groove 66 having an enlarged portion 68 at a point opposite the lower inner end of passage 64. The channel tapers inwardly at 69 to go from the regular stem to the reduced portion 50 without having any of the wires in the groove interfere with the slipping of sleeve 52 over the reduced portion 50. An elongated hole 70 is drilled inwardly from the upper part of the enlarged portion 68 to a depth so that the lower end of the passage 64 opens into it.

It can be seen now that the wires 60 and 62 of the high explosive charge assembly can extend through the spring 54 and along the channel 66 to the enlarged portion 68 and from there through the hole 70 and into the passage 64 and out the top of the charge positioner 8. An arm member 72 extends outwardly from each side of the top of the charge positioner 8 to provide a means for tightening the charge positioner 8 into position with the housing or body 4.

The control box is positioned around the housing 4 from a point adjacent the left-hand handle 6 to a a point adjacent the right-hand handle 7 forming an arc as seen in FIGURE 3. As seen in FIGURE 2 the box extends in height from a point adjacent the center of the handles 6 and 7 to a point just above the lower flat annular surface 15. The bottom and sides are fixed to the body 4 by any means desired. The top of the box is formed having three panels 80, 81 and 82. These are removably mounted for access to the elements of the control circuit contained therein. In the figures shown, screws are used to atlix the panels.

As viewed in FIGURE 4 the circuit contains two batteries 90 and 92 connected in parallel through an onolf switch and two double pole single throw switches 98 and 99 to output terminals 102 and 104.

The double pole single throw switch 98 is formed having two poles 93 and 94 movable by a shaft 95. The pole 93 has a terminal 97 connected to the end which is attached to the shaft 95 and pole 94 has a terminal 91 connected to the end which is attached to the shaft 95. The free end of the pole 93 is movable by the shaft 95 between terminals 105 and 106 and the free end of pole 94 is movable by the shaft 95 between terminals 107 and 108. Terminals 105 and 107 are connected together by a conductor 130.

The double pole single throw switch 99 is formed having two poles 113 and 114 movable by a shaft 115. The pole 113 has a terminal 117 connected to the end which is attached to the shaft 115 and pole 114 has a terminal 111 connected to the end which is attached to the shaft 95. The free end of the pole 113 is movable by the shaft 115 between terminals 125 and 126 and the free end of the pole 114 is movable by the shaft 115 between terminals 127 and 128. Terminals 125 and 127 are connected together by a conductor 150.

One output terminal 132 of the two batteries is connected to terminal 106 by a conductor 136 and the other terminal 134 of the two batteries is connected to terminal 108 by a conductor 138 having an ori-olf switch 96 therein.

Terminals 97 and 91 of switch 98 and terminals 126 and 128 of switch 99 are connected respectively by conductors 140 and 142. Terminals 117 and 111 of switch 99 and output terminals 102 and 104 are connected respectively by conductors 144 and 146.

Each output terminal is constructed having a metallic insert 156 lixedly mounted in an insulated sleeve 158 which is in turn fixed in the side of the control box 10. Each insert 156 has an internally threaded bore for receiving a bolt 158 having a butterfly head. A small opening extends radially through the insert member and passes through the threaded opening. As an ignition wire 60, or 62, is placed in its respective output terminal 102, or 104, the bolt 158 can be tightened to hold it in place. The upper ends of shaft 95 and shaft 115 protrude each from cover panels and 82, respectively, and the actuator of the on-off switch 96 projects from the panel 81. As stated hereinbefore, the output terminals 102 and 104 extend from the side of the control box. A left-hand trigger 160 is atiixed to the upper part of shaft 95 and a right-hand trigger 162 is aixed to the upper part of the shaft 115. Each of the shafts and 115 are biased to the position shown in FIGURE 4 so that the switches are normally in a position shunting output terminal to the output terminal 107 and output terminal 125 to output terminal 127. This will always connect output terminals 102 and 104 through one switch 99 or the other 98 until both are actuated by triggers 160 and 162 for tiring.

AS stated hereinbefore, even though the high explosive charge assembly is not a part of this invention, it will be discussed to show what type of assembly was used. FIG- URE 5 shows a type of blasting cap having a plastic charge jacket 100, a base charge 102, a primer charge 104, an ignition or match charge 106 and a seal portion 108. In practice when a battery is connected to the wires 60 and 62 the heat generated ignites the ignition or match charge 106 which in turn ignites the primer charge and base charge. This action provides the explosion.

In an actual test of the tool described herein, a blasting cap was used having a #6 charge. For a discussion of cap strength, see Hercules Handbook of Initiators and Actuators, especially paragraph 17.3.1 on Blasting Cap Strength. It was found that the explosion of a device having the strength of a #6 blasting cap would not Weld two plates A and B in overlapping fashion as shown in FIGURE 7. Plates A and B were both approximately .010" thick and approximately 3" x 2 in area. The material of both plates was 347 stainless steel.

In order to increase the strength of the explosive device, it was decided to attach two booster members to the bottom of the explosion device used above. One booster member 110 was formed from Detasheet C approximately .084" thick and another booster was formed from Detasheet C approximately .040 thick. Both of these booster members were made having a diameter equal to the diameter of the cap. In this case this was Mt. Detasheet flexible explosives are disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,999,793 and U.S. Patent 2,992,087. It was found that the explosion of this assembly, the device having the strength of a #6 cap plus the two boosters, Welded the two plates lbut also Welded the bottom plate to the die block which supported the plates.

Since it was then necessary to decrease the strength of the explosive device, it was decided to remove one of the two booster members 110 and the one which was left was .084 thick. It was found that the explosion of the high explosive charge assembly having the strength of a #6 cap plus one booster of .084 thick Detasheet C having a diameter of 1A" made a satisfactory weld. The weld made at this time was approximately equal to a 1%3" spot Weld. It is also noted that a protective layer of tape was used between plate B and the bottom of the explosive charge assembly. For a discussion of high explosives, see The Science of High Explosives, Melvin A. Cook, copyright 1958, by the Reinhold Publishing Corporation. High explosives are those which decompose by detonation in an extremely rapid, almost instantaneous process. Hence, the action of high explosives is fast and violent.

The seal 16B is shown being formed having two different extending lengths to accommodate the overlapping joint. FIGURE 6 shows another custom contoured face seal 16A which is contoured to tit a corrugated sheet. As stated hereinbefore, the face seal can 'be made to it any work piece desired.

Operation In loading this hand-held tool the charge positioner 8 is removed from the body 4 and a high explosive charge assembly is positioned with a charge attaching sleeve 52 overlapping the seal end 58 thereof with the ignition wires 60 and 62 extending therethrough. The spring 54 is placed around the ignition wires with its bottom surface resting against the upper end of thevcharge assembly 56. The ignition wires 60 and 62 are then laid along the groove 66 of portion 50 and middle part of stem 48. The upper end of sleeve 52 is then placed over the reduced portion 50 where it maintains a snug t. To prevent the spring 54 from pushing the charge assembly out of the bottom part ofv the sleeve, the charge assembly is properly positioned so that when it is assembled in the housing, the free end of the assembly will extend below the edge of the bottom of the whole explosive chamber (see phantom lines in FIG. 2) and the wires are then 'bent down into the hole 70. From this point, the wires extend through passage 64 out the top of the charge positionerS. Other more positive holding means can be provided for the Wires 60 and 62 to hold the charge assembly in place if desired. For example, as the wires extend out the top of the passage 64, they could have la fastener for fixing them to the top of the charge positioner. This could merely be a projection around which the wires could be wound for a turn or two. The projection could be threaded and a nut cooperating therewith to absolutely position the wires. This loaded charge positioner 8 is then inserted through the opening in the closed end of the cup-shaped member and threadably engaged therewith until the ange 43 compresses the seal insert 21. The free ends of the Wires 60 and 62 are connected respectively to output terminals 102 and 104.

With the hand-held tool now loaded, the operator picks up the device by the use of the two handles and places the housing over the work piece or pieces with the free end of the high explosive charge assembly touching the point to be worked. The housing is then held against the work piece or pieces with the seal 16 tightly engaging around its edge. In this position, the spring 54 is keeping the free end of the high explosive charge assembly against the surface to be worked. A vacuum can then be drawn within the explosive chamber by operating the vacuum forming device which is attached through the handle 7. When this has been done, the on-oiI switch can be turned to on and both triggers pulled. As seen from FIGURE 4, this will complete the circuit from the -batteries to the ignition charge, which ignition will ignite the entire assembly.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific description above or other speciic gures, but may be used in other ways without departure from its spirit as dened by the followingl claims.

We claim:

1. A high explosive hand-held working tool including a housing having means forming an explosion chamber, said chamber being open at one end, said one end being formed to engage a workpiece, means in said chamber for holding and positioning a high explosive device at said open end away from the means forming said chamber and in close proximity to a workpiece, means for hand-holding said housing in position with said one end pushed against a workpiece when said device is detonated, manually operable means ixed to said means forming an explosion chamber for detonating said device.

2. A high explosive hand-held working tool including a housing having an explosion chamber, said chamber being open at one end, said one end being formed to engage a workpiece, means in said chamber for holding and positioning a high explosive device in close proximity to a workpiece, means for hand-holding said housing in position with said one end against a workpiece when said device is detonated, manually operable means for detonating said device, said means for holding and positioning a high explosive device in close proximity to a workpiece including an arm projecting into the chamber, said arm having means for attaching a high explosive.

' 3. A high explosive hand-held working tool including a housing having means forming an explosion chamber,"

said chamber being open at one end, means in said chamber for holding and positioning a high explosive device adjacent said open end away from the means forming said chamber, means for hand-holding said housing in position when said device is detonated, manually operable means for detonating said device, and means for creating a vacuum in said chamber when it is in position, said vacuum creating means including means for sealing said open end of said chamber with a work piece.

4. A high explosive hand-held working tool including a housing having an explosion chamber, said chamber being open at one end, means in said chamber for holding and positioning a high explosive device, said means for holding and positioning a high explosive device including an arm projecting into the chamber, said arm having means for attaching a high explosive and biasing it to a position with a portion extending out of the open end of the chamber, means for hand-holding said housing in position against a work piece when said device is detonated with said high explosive device biased against the work piece, manually operable means for detonating said device.

5. A high explosive hand-held working tool including a housing having an explosion chamber, said chamber being open at one end, means in said chamber for holding and positioning a high explosive device, said means for holding and positioning a high explosive device including au arm projecting into the chamber, said arm having a sleeve for receiving a high explosive device, said sleeve having a spring for biasing a high explosive device to a position with a portion extending out of the open end of the chamber, means for hand-holding said housing in position against a work piece when said device is detonated with said high explosive device biased against the work piece, manually operable means for detonating said device.

`6. A high explosive hand-held working tool including a housing having an explosion chamber, said chamber being open at one end, a contoured seal located around the open end of said housing chamber for engagement v with a work piece, means in said chamber for holding and positioning a high explosive device, said means for holding and positioning a high explosive device including an arm projecting into the chamber, said arm having means for attaching a high explosive and biasing it to a position with a portion extending out of the open end of the chamber, means for hand-holding said housing in position against a work piece when said device is detonated with said high explosive device biased against the work piece, manually operable means for detonating said device, and means for creating a vacuum in said chamber when it is in position.

7. A high explosive hand-held working tool including a housing having an explosion chamber, said chamber being open at one end, a high explosive device, said device having an extension, means in said chamber for holding and positioning a high explosive device, said means for holding and positioning a high explosive device including an arm projecting into the chamber, said arm having a sleeve for receiving said extension and a spring biasing the device out of the open end of the chamber, means for preventing the device from being pushed out of said sleeve, means for hand-holding said housing in position against a work piece when said device is detonated with said high explosive device biased against the work piece, manually operable means for detonating said device.

8. A high explosive working tool including a housing formed as a cup-shaped member, the inner portion of said cup forming a chamber, a charge positioning member extending into said chamber from the closed end of said cup, said positioning member including an arm fixed to said member, said arm containing a sleeve at the free end thereof, a spring mounted in said sleeve with one end contacting the end of said arm, the open end of said sleeve being adapted to receive a high explosive charge assembly, the other end of said spring being adapted to Contact the high explosive charge assembly, passageway means extending from the lower end of said arm to a point exterior of said housing adapted to carry ignition wires from the high explosive charge assembly, control means attached to said housing, said control means having two output terminals, said control means containing means for placing a differential voltage between said two output terminals, said output terminals being adapted to receive wires from the high explosive charge assembly, means for holding said housing in position when said device is detonated, and manually operable means for detonatin g said device.

9. A high explosive hand-held working tool including a housing having an explosion chamber, said chamber being open at one end, said one end being formed to engage a workpiece, a high explosive device, said high explosive device having ignition wires extending therefrom, means in said chamber for holding and positioning said high explosive device against a workpiece, passageway means for extending said ignition wires to the exterior of said housing, means for hand-holding said housing in position with said one end against a workpiece, when said device is detonated, manually operable means for applying a voltage differential to said ignition wires to detonate said device.

10. A high explosive hand-held working tool including a housing having an explosion chamber, said chamber being open at one end, said one end being formed to engage a workpiece, a high explosive device, said high explosive device having ignition wires extending therefrom, means in said chamber for holding and positioning said high explosive device against a workpiece, passageway means for extending said ignition wires to the exterior of said housing, means for hand-holding said housing in position with said one end against a workpiece when said device is detonated, manually operable means for applying a voltage differential to said ignition wires to detonate said device, said means for holding and positioning said high explosive device including an arm projecting into the chamber, said arm having means .tor attaching said high explosive device.

11. A high explosive working tool including a housing formed as a cup-shaped member, the inner portion of said cup forming a chamber, a high explosive charge assembly, said assembly having two ignition wires, an assembly positioning means extending into said chamber from the closed end of said cup, said positioning means including an arm fixed to said member, said arm containing a sleeve at the free end thereof, a spring mounted in said sleeve with one end contacting the end of said arm, the open end of said sleeve receiving said high explosive charge assembly, the other end of said spring contacting the high explosive charge assembly and positioning it with the lower part thereof extending out of the open end of said cup-shaped member, passageway means extending from the lower end of said arm to a point exterior of said housing carrying said ignition wires from the high explosive charge assembly, control means attached to said housing, said control means having two output terminals, said control means containing means for placing a differential voltage between said two output terminals, said output terminals receiving the ignition wires from said high explosive charge assembly, means for holding said housing in position when said assembly is detonated, and manually operable means for detonating said assembly.

12. A high explosive working tool including a housing formed as a cup-shaped member, the inner portion of said cup forming a chamber, a high explosive charge assembly, said assembly having two ignition wires, an assembly positioning means extending into said chamber from the cup-shaped member, said positioning means including an arm fixed to said member, said arm containing a sleeve at the free end thereof, a spring mounted in said sleeve with one end contacting the end of said arm, the open end of said sleeve receiving said high explosive charge assembly, the other end of said spring contactmg the high explosive charge assembly and positioning it with the lower part thereof extending out of the open end of said cup-shaped member, passageway means extending from the lower end of said arm to a point exterior of said housing carrying said ignition wires from the high explosive charge assembly, said positioning means having means for holding said assembly in its firing position against said spring, control means attached to said housing, said control means having two output terminals, said control means containing means for placing a differential voltage between said two output terminals, said output terminals receiving the ignition wires from said high explosive charge assembly, means for holding said housing in position when said assembly is detonated, and manually operable means for detonating said assembly.

13. A high explosive working tool including a housing formed as a cup-shaped member, the inner portion of said cup forming a chamber, a high explosive charge assembly, said assembly having two ignition wires, an assembly positioning means extending into said chamber from the cup-shaped member, said positioning means including an arm fixed to said member, said arm containing a sleeve at the free end thereof, a spring mounted in said sleeve with one end contacting the end of said arm, the open end of said sleeve receiving said high explosive charge assembly, the other end of said spring contacting the high explosive charge assembly and positioning it with the lower part thereof extending out of the open end of said cup-shaped member, passageway means extending from the lower end of said arm to a point exterior of said'housing carrying said ignition wires from the high exposive charge assembly, control means attached to said housing, said control means having two output terminals, said control means containing means for placing a differential voltage between said two output terminals, said output terminals receiving the ignition wires from said high explosive charge assembly, means for evacuating the chamber in said cup-shaped member to provide a vacuum, said evacuating means including means around the open end of said cup-shaped member for sealing it with a work piece, means for holding said housing in position when said assembly is detonated, and manually operable means for detonating said assembly.

14. A high explosive hand-held working tool includ ing a housing having an explosion chamber, said chamber being open at one end, a high explosive device, said high explosive device having ignition wires extending therefrom, means in said chamber for holding and positioning said high explosive device, passageway means for extending said ignition wires to the exterior of said housing, means for hand-holding said housing in position when said device is detonated, means for creating a vacuum in said chamber, said vacuum creating means including means for sealing said open end of said chamber with a work piece, manually operable means for applying a voltage differential to said ignition wires to detonate said device.

15. A high explosive hand-held working tool including a housing having an explosion chamber, said chamber being open at one end, a high explosive device, said high explosive device having ignition wires extending therefrom, means in said chamber for holding and positioning said high explosive device, passageway means for extending said ignition wires to the exterior of said housing, means for hand-holding said housing in position when said device is detonated, manually operable means for applying a voltage diierential to said ignition Wires to detonate said device, said means for holding and positioning said high explosive device including an arm projecting into the chamber, means for creating a vacuum in said chamber, said vacuum creating means including means for sealing said open end of said chamber with a Work piece, said arm having means for attaching Said high explosive device.

16. A combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein spring means are connected to said arm biasing the high explosive device in a direction towards the open end of said chamber.

17. A combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for attaching a high explosive includes spring means for biasing said high explosive against said workpiece.

18. A combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for attaching high explosive device includes spring means for biasing said high explosive device against said workpiece.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,926,603 3/ 1960 Lindsay 89-1.02 2,995,053 8/ 1961 Freedom 72/-56 3,195,334 7/1965 Filler 29-421 3,044,430 7/ 1962 Ziezler 72-56 3,068,822 12/1962 Orr et al. 72-56 3,127,923 4/1964 Cadwell 72/-55 3,200,706 8/1965 Kinard 29-421 3,299,812 1/1967 Suh et al. 72-56 3,325,075 6/1967 Higuchi et al. 228-3 RICHARD J. HERBST, Primary Examiner U.S. C1. X.R. 228-3 

